Waguespack said the two friends were lost when two men brandishing guns stepped in front of their vehicle in an apparent robbery.

The 23-year-old Rodriguez and his friend were forced from the car and into an abandoned house nearby, Waguespack said.

At the house, there was a fight, and shots were fired, the sheriff said. Rodriguez's friend, also from Thibodaux, was able to escape to a nearby business, where he called police and told them Rodriguez had been shot in the head.

The house where the two victims were taken was badly burned, and Rodriguez was not found, Waguespack said.

Police spent much of the night searching the area for Rodriguez and resumed the search today.

“Technically, we are treating this as a missing person, but we believe he was wounded in the altercation,” Waguespack said, calling the situation a “possible homicide.”

Waguespack is not releasing the name of the second victim, who was able to escape and contact police.

Rodriguez is described as 5 foot 8 inches tall weighing 190 pounds.

Waguespack asks anyone with information contact the Detectives Division at 526-1627 or the Communication Division at 369-2912. Callers may remain anonymous.

<p>The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating the possible shooting death of a Thibodaux man in Belle Rose Tuesday night.</p><p>Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack says Tony Rodriguez Jr. of 1452 La. 1 in Thibodaux and a friend were driving along La. 998 in Belle Rose around 8 p.m. Tuesday.</p><p>Waguespack said the two friends were lost when two men brandishing guns stepped in front of their vehicle in an apparent robbery.</p><p>The 23-year-old Rodriguez and his friend were forced from the car and into an abandoned house nearby, Waguespack said.</p><p>At the house, there was a fight, and shots were fired, the sheriff said. Rodriguez's friend, also from Thibodaux, was able to escape to a nearby business, where he called police and told them Rodriguez had been shot in the head.</p><p>The house where the two victims were taken was badly burned, and Rodriguez was not found, Waguespack said.</p><p>Police spent much of the night searching the area for Rodriguez and resumed the search today.</p><p>“Technically, we are treating this as a missing person, but we believe he was wounded in the altercation,” Waguespack said, calling the situation a “possible homicide.”</p><p>Waguespack is not releasing the name of the second victim, who was able to escape and contact police.</p><p>Rodriguez is described as 5 foot 8 inches tall weighing 190 pounds.</p><p>Waguespack asks anyone with information contact the Detectives Division at 526-1627 or the Communication Division at 369-2912. Callers may remain anonymous.</p>